KENT STATE UNIVERSITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES SPECIAL MEETING
January 8, 2014
Rockwell Hall Atrium
Board Members Present
Virginia C. Albanese
Stephen Colecchi
Ralph Della Ratta
Dennis Eckart
Alex Evans
Richard Marsh
Monique C. Menefee
Lawrence Pollock
Jane Murphy Timken, Chair
KSU President’s Cabinet
President Lester A. Lefton
Alfreda Brown
Eugene Finn
Gregg Floyd
Iris Harvey
Greg Jarvie
Edward Mahon
Joel Nielsen
Charlene Reed, University Secretary
Joseph Vitale
Willis Walker
Guest
Beverly J. Warren
CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL
Board Chair Jane Timken called the special meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. in the atrium of
Rockwell Hall. Trustee Stephen Colecchi called the roll, and a quorum was present.
PROOF OF NOTICE
Chair Timken stated that public notification was given pursuant to state law and university
policy.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
In accordance with Chapter 121.22, section G of the Ohio Revised Code, Chair Timken
announced the Board had a need to meet in Executive Session for the purpose of: (i) considering
the employment and compensation of a public employee or official [121.22(G) (1)]. Trustee
Eckart moved, seconded by Trustee Della Ratta, that the Board retire into Executive Session.
By virtue of a unanimous roll call vote, the Board adjourned into Executive Session. The session
concluded at 10:10 a.m.
Kent State University
Board of Trustees Meeting
January 8, 2014
Page 2
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The Board reconvened for the business portion of the meeting at 10:12 a.m. in the atrium of
Rockwell Hall. Chair Timken asked if there were any additions or corrections to the agenda,
hearing none, the agenda was approved by general consent.
CONSIDERATION OF PERSONNEL MATTER
APPOINTMENT OF BEVERLY J. WARREN AS PRESIDENT OF KENT STATE
UNIVERSITY
Chair Timken remarked that Kent State has reached a very proud and important moment in
university history with the Trustees’ unanimous nomination of Dr. Beverly J. Warren as Kent
State University’s 12th president. She stated she is confident that the board found the perfect fit
to continue the university’s remarkable momentum and progress. On behalf of the Board, she
thanked members of the Presidential Search Committee for their dedicated service, and asked
any search committee member in attendance to stand and be recognized. Noting that the search
process was very thorough and rigorous, she thanked Trustees Richard Marsh and Dennis Eckart
for their leadership. Chair Timken also thanked members of the university community and the
public who took the time to share their thoughts and dreams for Kent State. She remarked it was
truly gratifying to see the deep commitment to and belief in the future of this great university.
Chair Timken then called on Trustee and Search Committee Chair Richard Marsh to present the
nomination of Dr. Beverly J. Warren as the 12th president of Kent State University.
Trustee Marsh opened by remarking what a happy and historic day it is for Kent State
University. He thanked President Lefton for his dynamic leadership over the past eight years,
noting the lengthy list of accomplishments he is leaving behind. Trustee Marsh stated that since
late summer 2013, the university has conducted a nationwide search for President Lefton’s
successor. A 17-member search committee was formed and included representation from the
university’s major constituencies including faculty, staff, student, and members of the greater
Kent community. Trustee Marsh remarked on the hard work and dedication of the committee,
and noted his personal gratitude for each member’s service. He then thanked Trustees Jane
Timken and Dennis Eckart for their involvement in and support of the search. Trustee Marsh
thanked Dr. Charlene Reed and Mr. James Hardy for their support of the search process.
He then remarked that the search committee was given a clear and direct charge from the Board
of Trustees, and that was to produce the best possible result for Kent State University and to
settle for nothing less than excellence. Trustee Marsh stated that the search committee has
achieved this objective, and proudly offered the unanimous recommendation of Beverly J.
Warren as the 12th president of Kent State University. Dr. Warren is the right leader for Kent
State, he said, and she possesses an impressive background of experience in higher education.
Trustee Marsh then listed a number of Dr. Warren’s professional accomplishments. He noted
that Dr. Warren stood out in a competitive field, and is the sole nominee with the unanimous
support of the Board of Trustees. Further, he stated she is ideally suited to lead Kent State and
execute the vision set by the board. In addition to her open and inclusive style, Trustee Marsh
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Board of Trustees Meeting
January 8, 2014
Page 3
remarked that Dr. Warren’s warm and inviting personality would be received well by faculty,
students and staff alike. With that, Trustee Marsh stated it is his privilege to nominate Beverly J.
Warren as Kent State’s 12th president.
Resolution 2014-01
APPOINTMENT OF BEVERLY J. WARREN AS PRESIDENT
OF KENT STATE UNIVERSITY
WHEREAS, on April 17, 2013, Dr. Lester A. Lefton announced his intention to
retire as President of Kent State University on July 1, 2014, after eight years of
distinguished leadership; and
WHEREAS, the Board of Trustees launched a national search for Dr. Lefton’s
successor, who would become the 12th president of the University; and
WHEREAS, the Board created a 17-member Presidential Search Committee that,
with the assistance of the search firm Storbeck/Pimentel & Associates, was
charged with the recruitment of highly qualified and diverse individuals who best
embody the preferred characteristics of Kent State’s president at this time and for
its future; and
WHEREAS, as a result of this process and its own due diligence and
deliberations, the Board of Trustees came to the unanimous nomination of Dr.
Beverly J. Warren, who has more than 25 years of higher education leadership
experience and currently serves as provost and senior vice president of Virginia
Commonwealth University; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Kent State University Board of Trustees hereby
approves the appointment of Dr. Beverly J. Warren as the 12th president of the
University, effective July 1, 2014, at a base salary of $450,000, and other agreedupon terms and conditions of employment to be specified in an employment
contract.
Chair Timken then invited Board Vice-Chair and Search Committee Vice-Chair Dennis Eckart to
second the nomination.
Trustee Eckart began his comments by recalling the first search committee meeting, when
Trustee Marsh walked the committee through a lengthy exposition of what the group was facing.
A competitive marketplace in which many, high-quality institutions were seeking new
presidents, in a transformational time for public higher education in regards to the changing
financial and academic models. He then remarked on the collegial nature of the search
committee process at Kent State, and how that stands in stark contrast to how other institutions
are conducting searches. Trustee Eckart then commented on the search timeline presented at that
initial search committee meeting, noting how intimidating it all seemed. The search committee
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Board of Trustees Meeting
January 8, 2014
Page 4
achieved that timeline, he said, as the Board of Trustees welcomes Dr. Warren to northeast Ohio.
Trustee Eckart stated that when one examines Dr. Warren’s professional resume, one sees an
incredible commitment to academic excellence. When one meets Dr. Warren, one immediate
respects her, he said. He noted that her life’s work has been to enrich the lives of young people,
as well as those with whom she has worked. Beyond that, when one engages with Dr. Warren
one finds a personality that is steeped in the deepest respect for the worth of each of us as
individuals. While serving on the search committee was an awesome task, Trustee Eckart noted
his sincere enjoyment of the process and how much he has learned about the institution. With
that, he seconded the motion made by Trustee Marsh nominating Dr. Warren as the 12th
president of Kent State University.
Chair Timken then asked if any other trustees wished to comment.
Trustee Della Ratta remarked that as a board member who was not on the committee, he wanted
to thank all who served on the search committee and offered his appreciation for such an
inclusive process. The thing that struck him most about Dr. Warren, he said, are the intangibles
she brings to the position. He found her to be a true advocate for students, who at the end of the
day is who the university exists to serve. Trustee Della Ratta felt Dr. Warren would be a
tremendous partner with the faculty, who are the backbone of the institution. He remarked that
she would continue the momentum President Lefton has created, noting what a privilege it has
been to serve during President Lefton’s leadership. He concluded his comments by stating how
excited he is to work with Dr. Warren in the coming years.
ACTION: Trustee Marsh moved, seconded by Trustee Eckart, that the resolution be
approved. There were no objections. The motion passed.
Chair Timken then invited President-elect Warren to make remarks.
President-elect Warren began her remarks by noting what an exciting moment this is for her
personally, and thanked the community for their welcome. She stated that a university is really
formed by its people, and she has been so impressed with the people of Kent State University.
Remarking that while she has much more to learn, President-elect Warren is energized by the
amount of people who are excited about the future of the institution. She thanked the Board of
Trustees for their confidence in her, and the trust they’ve invested. President-elect Warren
pledged a 24/7, high-energy commitment to Kent State, and to the values and ideals articulated
to her by the trustees. She thanked Board Chair Timken, noting that she has never seen a chair
so energetic and passionate about their university. She thanked Trustee Eckart for the countless
conversations she had with him and his commitment to the institution. Noting his gracious and
inclusive style of leadership, President-elect Warren thanked Trustee Marsh for presiding over an
excellent search process. She then thanked the search committee for their time, effort and
deliberation.
She then stated that the university owes a deep sense of gratitude to President Lefton. Presidentelect Warren remarked that her attraction to Kent State was due in large part to what President
Lefton had built during the last eight years. Coming from a similar institution with similar
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Board of Trustees Meeting
January 8, 2014
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aspirations, she stated that Kent State is on the rise nationally. His work, his legacy and his
commitment to excellence were major signs that Kent State is the place to be, she said.
President-elect Warren remarked that this is only the beginning of the moment, stating she has so
much more to learn about Kent State University. Everyone in the room, as well as 42,000
students, all has a point of view about this institution, she said. Her goal is to learn and
understand what the hope; the promise; the dream is for Kent State University. To her, she said,
what a president does is to articulate to the world your desires for your university. The people of
Kent State University have an energy and a commitment to this institution that makes her
pleased to join as president.
Chair Timken then formally recognized President-elect Dr. Beverly J. Warren with a few Kent
State mementos. She then remarked that one of the reasons for the success of the search has
been the exemplary leadership of President Lefton. The momentum Kent State enjoys today is
due, in large part, to his vision and leadership, she said. She then invited President Lefton to
make a few remarks.
Proclaiming another great day at Kent State, President Lefton noted his delight in having an
opportunity to say a few words on such a historic day for the university. He reminded those in
attendance of his remarks to Faculty Senate earlier in the fall where he predicted that Kent
State’s outstanding programs and deeply held values would attract a very high caliber leader to
the position of president. He asserted he has been proven right with the selection of Presidentelect Warren.
President Lefton stated that President-elect Warren is a superb choice for Kent State, bringing a
wealth of experience gained at several great universities. She is a widely respected scholar and
leader alike, he said. President Lefton remarked that as provost of Virginia Commonwealth
University, President-elect Warren has demonstrated the pursuit of excellence at every level of
the institution, making a distinctive mark on academic programs, research and scholarly
productivity, and community engagement. He felt her experience, energy, optimism, and
enthusiasm are a fitting match for the Kent community.
He then thanked and acknowledged those whose efforts brought the university to this important
day including Trustee and Search Chair Richard Marsh; Trustees Dennis Eckart and Jane
Timken who served crucial roles in the search process; Dr. Charlene Reed and James Hardy; and
ultimately the entire search committee and many members of the community who participated in
the process.
President Lefton remarked that with the university on such solid footing, he is passing the
leadership torch with confidence in the future of this magnificent institution. He remarked on his
own memories of being introduced as Kent State’s 11th president. He then stated that Presidentelect Warren is only beginning to feel the excitement and adrenaline-charged sense of “Kent
State pride” that he feels everyday. Leading an institution like Kent State is a task worthy of
people who have maturity, values, and experience that challenge them to new levels, he said.
President Lefton stated that President-elect Warren is ready, willing, and more than able. With
that, he welcomed President-elect Warren to the Kent State family.
Kent State University
Board of Trustees Meeting
January 8, 2014
Page 6
ADJOURNMENT
Chair Timken announced that the next regular business meeting of the Board of Trustees would
occur March 12, 2014, at the Kent Campus, and invited members of the media and general
public to stay for a press conference immediately following the meeting. On motion duly made
and approved, the meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m.